Improved speculum barrel member

ABSTRACT

A disposable speculum barrel member of circular cross section tapers to provide a larger proximal end and a smaller distal end. The barrel member includes a sleeve means having a concentric flange or window wall at one end which is joined to the proximal end of the barrel with the sleeve portion extending therefrom. An obturator in the barrel member may be withdrawn through the sleeve means. A handle member to which the barrel member is releaseably secured contains lighting means which is positioned around the sleeve means and adjacent the window wall and isolated from the interior of the barrel member.

United States Patent [1 1 Mar. 11,1975

Fiore IMPROVED SPECULUM BARREL MEMBER [75] Inventor: John M. Fiore,Troy, NY.

[73] Assignee: Bio-Analytical Laboratories, Inc.,

Troy, NY.

[22] Filed: Dec. 26, 1973 [2|] Appl. No.: 428,027

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 249,110, May1, 1972,

abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl. 128/6 [51] Int. Cl A6lb l/06 [58] Field of Search l28/4,5,6,7,8, 9, 10, 128/11 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2,236,842 4/1941 Allyn 128/6 3,071,129 l/l963 Wasserman 128/6 3,4l7,746l2/l968 Moore et al. 128/6 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 14,508 0/l906Great Britain 128/6 196,069 4/1937 Switzerland l26/6 PrimaryExaminerLucie H. Laudenslager [57] ABSTRACT A disposable speculum barrelmember of circular cross section tapers to provide a larger proximal endand a smaller distal end. The barrel member includes a sleeve meanshaving a concentric flange or window wall at one end which is joined tothe proximal end of the barrel withthe sleeve portion extendingtherefrom. An obturator in the barrel member may be withdrawn throughthe sleeve means. A handle member to which the barrel member isreleaseably secured contains lighting means which is positioned aroundthe sleeve means and adjacent the window wall and isolated from theinterior of the barrel member.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures EUJENTED 1 I975 3.870.036

SHEET 2 (IF 2 IMPROVED SPECULUM BARREL MEMBER This is a continuation, ofapplication Ser. No. 249,110, filed 5/1/72, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of Invention This invention relates tospeculum instruments generally, and more particularly to proctoscopicspeculums having enclosed, contamination isolated light directing meansat the proximal end of the barrel through which an obturator may bewithdrawn.

2. Description of Prior Art Speculum instruments may be defined broadlyas instruments adaptable for insertion into a body opening, human oranimal, in order to medically observe or treat an inner portion. Inparticular rectal speculums, defined generally as proctoscopicspeculums, including anoscopes and sigmoidoscopes, have becomeincreasingly important in routine and preventative medical examinationsas well as for medical treatment. More specifically, there is increaseduse of sigmoidoscopes for examination and treatment of the upper reachesof the colon, and disposable sigmoidoscopes for this purpose are verydesirable. However, a notable limitation of these proctoscopic devicessuch as sigmoidoscopes relates to the lack of optimum lighting meansemployed therewith.

In the use of medical speculum devices generally a light source isdesirable to increase the accuracy of more precise types of diagnosticexaminations, and also to facilitate various treatment processes carriedon through the device. Ordinarily such a light source may be one whichis generally external to the instrument, or one which is attachedthereto at the proximal end, and arranged in either instance, to havelight directed into or through the speculum. These and other similararrangements suffice for short-length speculum devices where relativelylow lighting power of the light source is sufficient. However, in thelonger speculum instruments such as a sigmoidoscope, where the effectivelength may be on the order of centimeters or more, and where theinstrument is of necessity an enclosing cylinder,.more lighting power isnecessary because of distance involved and the nature of the parts to beexamined. Because of this notable requirement, it is usual designpractice in sigmoidoscopes to have the light source placed inside theinstrument and adjacent the distal end thereof. In this position,however, the light source is subject to contamination from contact withthe patient directly or indirectly so that without means for maintainingthe light source in a sterile or sanitary condition, impending reuse forother patients without intervening cleansing is prohibited. Therefore,the highly desirable disposability concept of the sigmoidoscope islimited by its being combined and employed with a lighting means whichis not disposable or immediately reusable.

Another problem associated with the above described and other lightingmeans incorporated with the speculum, relates to the requirement of easeof assembly and detachability of the lighting means to the speculum sothat the speculum may be of a single use disposable type and thelighting means readily and easily detached therefrom without requisiteskill. A further problem with proctoscopic devices employing anobturator relates to some provision for removing the obturator while thelighting means is in position, without changing the circumferentialconfiguration of the sigmoidoscope or obturator, to minimize assemblysteps prior to use. Reference is made to US Pat. No. 3,373,736 Fiore etal. and British Pat. Nos. 1,034,222; 1,047,140; 1,048,600 and 1,081,849for further description of a disposable sigmoidoscope and lighting meanstherefore.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of this inventionto provide an improved speculum instrument barrel.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved single usedisposable proctoscopic instrument barrel with an isolated lightingmeans area therein.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved singleuse disposable proctoscopic instrument barrel with an isolated lightingmeans area incorporated at the proximal end thereof.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an improvedsingle use disposable sigmoidoscope bar rel having a lighting means areaincorporated in the proximal end thereof in enclosed, protected, andcontamination isolation relationship thereto.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved singleuse disposable sigmoidoscopic instrument barrel with protected lightingmeans area in the proximal end thereof through which an obturator may bewithdrawn.

It is another object of this invention to provide a single usedisposable sigmoidoscope barrel where the barrel tapers from proximal todistal end to provide a window walled area behind which lighting meansare isolated, and through which the obturator may be withdrawn.

It is another object of this invention to provide an im proved singleuse disposable sigmoidoscopic barrel which tapers to provide a largerproximal end in which a separate annular window walled sleeve meansdefines a protected lighting means area directly viewable from thedistal end, and through which an obturator may be withdrawn.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION This invention in one of its preferred forms includesa single use disposable sigmoidoscopic barrel having a tapered, bore toprovide an enlarged proximal end. A smaller sleeve means has a clearplastic flange at one end which is concentrically attached to theenlarged end of the barrel with the flange providing an annular windowwall radially within the enlarged end of the barrel and the sleeveprojecting axially therefrom. A handle lighting unit is fitted coaxiallyover the sleeve so that light from a lamp therein is directed throughthe annular window and down the barrel. The sleeve aperture is slightlylarger than the opening of the distal end of the barrel so that anobturator may be withdrawn through the sleeve, and the sleeve protectsthe lighting means from contamination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This invention will be betterunderstood when taken in connection with the following description anddraw ings in which FIG. I is a side elevational view of one preferredembodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a separate sleeve means fo this invention.I

FIG. 3 is a cross-section and axial view from the proximal end of theembodiment of FIG. 1 along line 33.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section and axial view from the distal end of theembodiment of FIG. 1 along line 4-4.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a detachable handle and light assembly forFIG. 1 along line 55.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a modified barrel member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a modified proximal end arrangementof the FIG. 1 embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1 thespeculum instrument 10 is preferably a protoscopic instrument, which inan exemplary embodiment, is asigmoidoscope. Instrument 10 is bestdescribed as incorporating two separable structures, e.g., a barrelmember or barrel 11 which is preferably-a single use disposable item,and a handle lighting unit 12 which is usually of a permanent orsemi-permanent nature.

Barrel 11 may be expeditiously manufactured from a material which isreadily and economically single use disposable. The material must be onewhich is ordinarily sterilizable and which retains sufficient rigiditywithout brittleness. In one preferred form of this invention thematerial for barrel 11 may be a moldable and extrudable synthetic resinsuch as linear polyethylene and polypropylene as noted in theaforementioned U.S. patent and the applications referred to therein.

It is a salient and foremost feature of this invention that barrel 11includes a tapering or gradual enlargement preferably from the distalend 13 to the proximal end 14 thereof. A tapered barrel is one that isgenerally frusto conical or flared over its effective length, i.e., thelength of barrel 11 which is inserted in a body opening. This taperingor flaring provides an opening or diameter of the enlarged proximal end14 which is significantly larger than the distal end 13 opening. It ispreferred'that the taper retain the circular cross-section of barrel l1,and that the taper commence at or very close to the distal end 13 ofbarrel 11. The defined taper may be linear, as frusto conical, or it maybe curvilinear, such as being flared or bell mouthed, i.e., inwardlybowing, orslightly convex or domed, i.e., outwardly bowing. Under someconditions the tapering may commence at a point between the proximal anddistal ends of barrel 11. The proximal end of barrel 11 may include amore abruptly flaring or radial part 15, which may also extend sharplyradially to define an end shield or hand guard 16.

In order to define a walled area which is an isolated and protectedlight position or chamber, an end sleeve means 17 is positioned adjacentflare part 16 of barrel 11 and suitably attached thereto. Ordinarily,sleeve means 17 is considered a part of barrel member 11. As illustratedin FIG. 2, the sleeve means 17, in one preferred embodiment includes agenerally cylindrical section 18 and a flange or window wall section 19.In one form of this invention, flange window wall 19 is press fittedinto a locking shoulder 20 on flaring part 16 of barrel 11. A number ofother suitable joining means may be gainfully employed to secure windowwall 19 to.

flare part 16. For example, direct locking means may take the form ofmating screw threads on each part, a snap fit, or a suitable interlock.Indirect means may take the form of cementing of the parts or a pressfit of the parts. Alternatively sleeve means 17 may be molded as anintegralpart of'barrel 11, or may in fact be a separate device attachedto handle unit 12.

Because of the defined taper of barrel 11, the flange section 19 definesan inwardly projecting annular window wall 19, which in combination withcylindrical section 18 defines an area remote from or isolated from themain channel through barrel 11. Window wall 19 projecting inwardly, asit does, has an unobstructed view of the distal end opening 13 of barrel11, and for this reason window wall 19 is made of a transparent materialsuch as a clear synthetic resin, or has suitable clear sections orlenses therein. Therefore, a lighting means in handle lighting unit 12,and behind window wall 19, will transmit light down barrel 11 to thedistal end. Cylindrical section 18, however, is of limited transparencyand preferably non-transparent, either because of the material fromwhich it is produced, or by reason of suitable coloring or coatings.

An obturator assembly (shown in dashed line out line) includes a smoothovate tip portion 21 whose maximum diameter closely approximates theinternal diameter of the smooth rounded distal end opening 13 of barrel11. A stem means 22 extends from the tip portion 21 through barrel 11 toproject from the proximal end thereof. An obturator is employedprimarily to facilitate insertion of a speculum 10 or barrel 11 into abody orifice such as the rectum, and this use is an accepted andestablished practice. After insertion of the barrel a short distanceinto the rectum, just beyond the sphincter muscle, the obturator iswithdrawn. Thereafter, in accordance with present well knownsigmoidoscopes, a lighting means would be inserted into barrel 11, suchas for example the lighting means of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,373,736 or3,032,031.

In the'noted present practice the lighting means in the barrel isexposed to contamination by being near the open distal end and becausewithdrawal of the obturator ordinarily contaminates the inside of thebarrel. Additionally when certain instruments are passed into thebarrel, or where swabbing practices take place, the inside of thebarrelas well as the lighting means therein are further contaminated.Accordingly, the lighting means must be of a stringent design so as tobe of a readily sterilizable or sanitizable nature, or suitablyprotected. There are a number of problems associated with each facetnoted. Sterilization of the lighting means or the barrel is anundesirable and uneconomical process which is subject to error. Theprotective sleeve and other protective arrangements are usuallycumbersome and lacking in handling as well as lighting efficiency.

It has been discovered that the noted problems are significantlyovercome by the use of tapered barrel 11, as illustrated in FIG. 1,which, in combination with a sleeve means 17 provides for obturatorremoval with lighting means remaining in position and not beingcontaminated. For example,.in the illustrated arrangement of FIG. 1,sleeve means 17 has an internal bore diameter larger than the maximumdiameter of distal end opening 13 so that an obturator tip may easilypass therethrough. Suitable guiding ramps may be provided as extensionson sleeve means 17 into barrel 11 or as raised surfaces on the innersurface of barrel 11 to facilitate withdrawal of the obturator. Contactof sleeve handle part 23 and a lighting head 24 which connects to barrel11 and contains the lamps 25.'The lighting head 24 comprises an annularpart 26 having a distal end facing recess 27 therein. Recess 27 whichmay be annular or suitably compartmentalized is next adjacent annularflange window wall 19, and closed off by cylinder 18 so as to beisolated chamber containing therein a plurality of usually equallycircumferentially spaced lamp means 25. As illustrated in FIG. 1 foursuch lamp means are utilized, and while a single lamp may provide somedegree of lighting, two or more are preferred. A single ring or pair ofhalf ring lamps may also be used to good advantage. The importantconcept, however, is to have the lamp means not only isolated and remotefrom the main channel of barrel 11 but yet to remain in exposed orviewing relationship to the distal end of barrel 11. By this means themain channel of barrel 11 remains open for the unobstructed passage ofvarious instruments, swabs, and the obturator without danger ofcontamination 'of the lighting means.

Light transmission may be further increased by the use of pre-focusedlamps, lamps with an integral mirror surface, or by the use of focussingreflectors 28 in recess,27 of lighting head 24. The combination of anannular transparent window wall 19, lamps 25, and reflectors 28 may besuitably integrated in function and effeet to focus and direct asubstantial amount of light at the center line of the distal end ofbarrel 11. This invention may also provide for a high intensity lightsource in handle light unit 12 which is merely reflected by a suitablemirror or other light directing and amplifying means in the space orrecess 27 presently occupied by lamps 25.

Light transmission down barrel l1 and its quantity and direction isimportant to the practice of sigmoidoscopic examination. The lightingmeans as described is advantageous because it permits the use of plurallamps, or a single lamp in ring form, with greatly increased wattage andmore distal end light, as compared to a single lamp in barrel l1 and inspite of the more rearward location of lamps 25.

The effectiveness of the lighting means is increased by avoiding glarein barrel l1 and, for this reason the inner surface of barrel 11 may betreated, colored, or formed so that glare is reduced, and effectivelight transmission increased.

The annular flange window wall 19 has an effective light transmittingheight, measured generally from the upper surface of cylindrical section18 to the inner surface of the end of the taper of barrel 11, which isdependent on the amount of taper in barrel 11. While the taper may varyto a considerable degree, an effective light transmitting height need beno more than from about one-sixteenth to about one-eighth inch. It ismost desirable to concentrate the lamp means as near to the center lineof barrel 11 as expedient in order to provide as much uninterruptedlight transmitting down barrel l1, and for this reason excessive taperof barrel 11 is not necessary for lighting purposes.

The lighting head 24 is provided with means to releaseably secure it tobarrel 11. Releaseable securing is intended. to mean those attaching oraffixing devices not ordinarily intended to be of a permanent nature,and are intended to .be a part of or utilized in the opera- V 6 tion ofthe device. Quick disconnects, latches and the like which play 'asignificant role in one cycle use are further examples of releaseablesecuring devices. One example of a convenient releaseable securing meansis illustrated in FIG. 1 by the mating screw thread or camming means 29on annular part 26 as well as on cylindrical extension 18. Other lockingdevices including snap acting, detent and such interlocking devices mayalso be utilized with good advantage not only between the annular part26 and cylindrical extension 18, but also in lieu thereof, between ortogether with annular part 26 and radial part 16 of barrel 11.

In some instances it may be desirable to include a biasing or springacting interlock between lighting head 24 and barrel 11. Such springloading releases may forcibly eject the barrel 11 from lighting unit 12by operation of a release mechanism by the medical practitioner. Theforcible ejection as a practical matter need only move the barrelassembly a fraction of an inch to be effective. One such eject mechanismis disclosed and claimed in combination with a vaginal speculum incopending application Ser. No. 529,444 Fiore now U.S. Pat. No.3,533,088.

The lighting head 24 includes a handle unit extension 23 which may beseparably attached or, ordinarily an integral part thereof. Handle part23 may be of various configurations and primarily is of a generallycylindrical shape for ease in handling as well as to serve as aconveniently shaped housing for a power unit such as a battery 30 (shownin dotted lines in FIG. 1) preferably of the rechargeable type asdescribed in the above noted US. patent. The battery or batteries 30 inhandle part 23 may be suitably connected to a combined onoff-rheostatelement 31 and then to lamps 25 so that the medical practitioner mayexercise light control when needed or desirable. Battery 30 may besuitably recharged by inserting the handle part 23 in a recharger forrecharging as known in the art. Alternatively, battery 30 may be removedfrom handle part 23 by removing an end cover and placing the battery 30itself in a recharger as well known in the art. Provision may also bemade to provide an electric extension lead connected to lamps 25, or toa transformer and then to lamps 25, to obtain electrical power from adomestic or commercial power source or outlet.

It is desirable, in the practice of sigmoidoscope examinations, to havea suitable closure member and lens assembly at the proximal end of asigmoidoscope as well as at the same end of a host of other speculuminstruments. Accordingly, in the present invention a suitable end capunit 32 is affixed to the lighting head 24 and may be hinged as a rotaryslide opening or a gate hinge type opening, as is known in the art.Alternatively the end cap unit may be a separate eyepiece which issuitably attached as desired. End cap unit 32 is usually provided withan optical lens 33 to facilitate examination. As such, the lens 33 maybe a magnifying lens, or lens assembly including if desirable suitableoptical adjusting means for focussing, for example.

In some instanceeither a positive air pressure or a negative airpressure (from room conditions) is desirable in connection withsigmoidoscopy. For example, a negative pressure is generated by gentlesuction to remove gases, smoke from cauterization and the like. Apositive pressure may be employed to slightly distend certain areas ofthe colon to facilitate examination. Both suctionand pressure is appliedthrough a nipple or conduit 34 which projects from lighting head 21 andcommunicates to the interior of barrel 11 through an appropriate openingor slot 35 (not shown) in cylindrical section 18.

Sealing means are employed to retain pressure or suction at the proximalend of the instrument 10. For example, a seal is provided between radialpart 16 of barrel 11 and the adjacent face of annular lighting head 24.Such a seal is preferably in the form of a ring type gasket 36 retainedin a seal cavity 37 in the face of lighting head 24. Ring seal or gasket36 may be of a number of configurations and materials includingrelatively soft rings of medically serviceable materials. In oneembodiment of this invention ring seal 36 is of a neoprene material andU shaped to be expanded, by air pressure, into contact with opposedwalls. A further ring seal such as a relatively soft O ring 38 isemployed between end cap unit 26 and lighting head 24. Ring seal 38 mayalso be disposed in a suitable recess 39 in lighting head 24. Seal 36 iscompressed by engagement of lighting head 24 to the radial flange 16 incombination with screw threads 29. Seal 38 may be compressed by means ofa suitable cam clip 40 engaging cam groove 41 in lighting head 24. Seals36 and 38 effectively close off the proximal end of the speculuminstrument so that gentle pressure is exerted through the distal end ofbarrel 11. During examination certain gaseous results of treatment arealso removed by gentle suction.

The radial flange part 16 of barrel 11 may serve as a hand guard unit asemployed with sigmoidoscopes generally and may be further radiallyextended, and also curve towards the proximal end, for this purpose.Alternately, a separate hand guard may be attached to the barrel 11 ormolded integrally therewith.

The speculum instrument 10 of this invention is readily adaptable foruse as other speculum type instruments particularly proctoscopes andanoscopes generally. In this connection barrel 11 may be made shorter toserve as an anoscope, for example, or of smaller diameter for smallerbody openings. The handle unit 12 is further adaptable to a wide varietyof uses in medical practice where a good source of light is needed. As

sueh,it may be gainfully employed with other medical instruments,disposable or otherwise, which may be adaptable thereto including, forexample, opthalmoscopes and otoscopes. I

FIG. 3 illustrates a view of the speculum 10 from the proximal endthereof along line 3-3. In FIG. 3 the lamps are shown in phantom toillustrate their position adjacent window member 19. The diameterdifference between window wall 19 and barrel 11 is correlated to thedifference in diameters of opening 13 and barrel 11. This differencewhich represents the taper of barrel 11 provides the direct exposure ofa portion of lamp to distal end opening 13. While four lamps 25 areshown, the number may be suitably varied for example by the use of twoor three lamps. In some instances varying degrees of lighting mightrequire a maximum of four lamps, and other instances a less number oflamps. The on-off switch 31 may be suitably provided with a stepswitching means to control the number of lamps energized FIG. 4illustrates a view somewhat opposite to that of FIG. 3. The FIG. 4 viewis from the distal end opening 13 along line 4--4 of FIG. 1 and assumesan angle view from the center line of FIG. 1. Accordingly that portionof window wall 19 which is directly exposed to distal end opening 13 isclearly shown.

FIG. 5 illustrates the handle unit 12 of this invention separate frombarrel 11 and readily adaptable for insertion into a battery chargingunit or other storage device. FIG. 5 alsoillustrates the adaptability ofhandle unit 12 as a general light source alone or with otherinstruments.

The foregoing describes'one complete embodiment of this invention. Otherembodiments and modifications may also be provided, the importantfeature being the taper of the barrel to provide an isolated orprotected lighting area without any significant change in the operation,effectiveness and use of the instrument. However, barrel 11 may betapered externally and/or internally to provide this feature. In FIG.the barrel may be described as having an external taper to provide theenlarged proximal end. Internal tapering may also provide anenlarged'proximal end, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

In FIG. 6 barrel 38 is similar to barrel II of FIG. I and includes thesame general dimension of the proximal end as barrel 11. Barrel 38includes an internal taper which is provided by a wall thickness 39which increases towards the distal end. Thisthick wall section at thedistal end serves as a support 40 for the obturator 21. To accommodatethe internal taper the obturator 21' may be slightly smaller thanobturator 21 of FIG. 1 and/or the proximal end dimensions may besomewhat larger. The internal taper may not be required over theeffective length of the barrel but only need be utilized close to thedistal end with the remaining wall lengths being of relatively constantthickness.

The combination of tapers, both internally and externally, may be anadvantageous compromise because a slight taper is usually employed tofacilitate removal of a barrel from an injection mold process, when sucha process is employed. This pre-taper may be incorporated in thisinvention.

A further modification of this invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG.7 comprises a sectional and top view of a modified lighting head 41similar to lighting head 24 of FIG. 1, and flare part 42 of barrel 11',similar to flared part 15 of FIG. 1. FIG. 7, flared part 42 includes aflange portion 43, and a projecting portion 44 which projects into andengages lighting head 41. Lighting head 41 includes a recess 45 intowhich projecting portion 44 is positioned and retained. The retainingmeans includes the combination of a circumferential groove 46 inprojecting portion 44 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced springbiased balls commonly known as ball detent devices, one of whichis'shown schematically at 47.

Lighting head 41 also includes a pair of oppositely disposed bell crankor angle members 48 and 49 which are pivoted at 50 and 51 so that thearms 52 and 53 engagethe free end of projecting portion 44.

As illustrated the application of a depressing force on the exposed armsof angle members 48 and 49 will cause a pivoting action so that arms 52and 53 bear against projection 44 and move the barrel assembly axiallyoutwardly from the lighting head 41. When the free edge of projectingportion 44 passes by the spring biased balls of detent devices 47, acamming action occurs to positively release and eject the barrelfrom'the lighting head. Various other positive ejection, electrical ormechanical means may be employed to cause removal of the barrel assemblyfrom the lighting head without the necessity of the practitionertouching a potentially contaminated barrel assembly. This releasingmechanism accomplishes a positive release and automatic ejectingmechanism which greatly expedites the use of this invention.

The flare part 42 of barrel 11 also provides direct lighting through thedistal end of the barrel in that the circular row of lamps 58 are atleast partly exposed to the distal end, as illustrated in FIG. 3, forexample. Ordinarily a straight line may be drawn from a lamp through thedistal end of the barrel without crossing any barrel structure whichwould obstruct light passage.

While other modifications of this invention and variations of apparatusmay be employed within the scope of this invention and have not beendescribed or illustrated, the invention is intended to include all suchmodifications as may ordinarily be embraced within the following claims.

What I claim as new is:

1. A single use disposable barrel member for use with a proctoscopicdevice having a light source therein comprising in combination a. acylindrical cross-section tapered barrel,

b. said tapered barrel having a smaller diameter opening at its distalend than at its proximal end,

c. a sleeve means in the proximal end of said barrel and extending outof said proximal end,

(1. said sleeve means having a flange section at one end thereofdefining a radially inwardly projecting annular window wall between theproximal end of said barrel and said sleeve means,

e. said annular window wall being positioned in said proximal end ofsaid barrel so that the light source of said proctoscopic device ispositioned behind said annular window wall to pass light through saidannular window wall and directly into the bore of said barrel,

f. an obturator assembly in said barrel comprising a tip portion fittingsmoothly in said distal end and a stem means attached to said tipportion and extending through said sleeve means,

g. said sleeve means being of sufficient size to pass said obturatortherethrough and out of said barrel member.

2. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said barrel includes anoutwardly flared proximal end portion, an axially projecting cylindricalportion on said flared portion, and releaseable securing means on saidcylindrical portion adapted to be engaged by a handle unit.

3. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said barrel member issingle use disposable of a synthetic resin material.

4. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said taper extends over amajor portion of the effective length of said barrel member.

5. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said taper extends overessentially the entire effective length of said barrel.

6. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said taper is linear.

7. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said taper is external.

8. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said barrel is frustoconical.

9. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inwardly projectingannular window member wall is the flange section of a separate flangedsleeve assembly means wherein the flange section is attached to theproximal end of said barrel.

10. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein engaging means areprovided on said barrel sleeve means to engage a lighting unit thereto.

1. A single use disposable barrel member for use with a proctoscopicdevice having a light source therein comprising in combination a. acylindrical cross-section tapered barrel, b. said tapered barrel havinga smaller diameter opening at its distal end than at its proximal end,c. a sleeve means in the proximal end of said barrel and extending outof said proximal end, d. said sleeve means having a flange section atone end thereof defining a radially inwardly projecting annular windowwall between the proximal end of said barrel and said sleeve means, e.said annular window wall being positioned in said proximal end of saidbarrel so that the light source of said proctoscopic device ispositioned behind said annular window wall to pass light through saidannular window wall and directly into the bore of said barrel, f. anobturator assembly in said barrel comprising a tip portion fittingsmoothly in said distal end and a stem means attached to said tipportion and extending through said sleeve means, g. said sleeve meansbeing of sufficient size to pass said obturator therethrough and out ofsaid barrel member.
 1. A single use disposable barrel member for usewith a proctoscopic device having a light source therein comprising incombination a. a cylindrical cross-section tapered barrel, b. saidtapered barrel having a smaller diameter opening at its distal end thanat its proximal end, c. a sleeve means in the proximal end of saidbarrel and extending out of said proximal end, d. said sleeve meanshaving a flange section at one end thereof defining a radially inwardlyprojecting annular window wall between the proximal end of said barreland said sleeve means, e. said annular window wall being positioned insaid proximal end of said barrel so that the light source of saidproctoscopic device is positioned behind said annular window wall topass light through said annular window wall and directly into the boreof said barrel, f. an obturator assembly in said barrel comprising a tipportion fitting smoothly in said distal end and a stem means attached tosaid tip portion and extending through said sleeve means, g. said sleevemeans being of sufficient size to pass said obturator therethrough andout of said barrel member.
 2. The invention as recited in claim 1wherein said barrel includes an outwardly flared proximal end portion,an axially projecting cylindrical portion on said flared portion, andreleaseable securing means on said cylindrical portion adapted to beengaged by a handle unit.
 3. The invention as recited in claim 1 whereinsaid barrel member is single use disposable of a synthetic resinmaterial.
 4. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said taperextends over a major portion of the effective length of said barrelmember.
 5. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said taperextends over essentially the entire effective length of said barrel. 6.The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said taper is linear.
 7. Theinvention as recited in claim 1 wherein said taper is external.
 8. Theinvention as recited in claim 1 wherein said barrel is frusto conical.9. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inwardly projectingannular window member wall is the flange section of a separate flangedsleeve assembly means wherein the flange section is attached to theproximal end of said barrel.